Portable Combination Bedside Co-Sleeper

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a first playpen enclosure that converts easily to a bassinet, changing table or bed-side crib or “co-sleeper” that attaches securely to the parents&#39; bed. A second enclosure support system maintains a padded enclosure and rigid floor panel at one or more predetermined levels below the top of the playpen to form the bassinet and co-sleeper. The second enclosure has a back, two sides, a bottom and a front flap that converts into a front wall for use in the bassinet mode and overhangs the front horizontal rail for use in the co-sleeper mode. The upper front corners are segmented into a movable section and a fixed section to facilitate lowering the front horizontal rail to at least one lower second position to accommodate various parental bed heights. Extensions of the fixed section are affixed to the front vertical rails and accept the movable sections in several positions to secure the rail in the second positions. The support means, padded enclosure and rigid floor panel complete the changing table with the edges of the front flap secured to the edges of the side walls. The playpen is placed adjacent the parents&#39; bed with the front flap extended over the bed for use as a co-sleeper. Means are provided to secure loose flap material to the front of the co-sleeper. For co-sleeper use, reinforcing straps secure the unit to the parents&#39; bed and prevent movement. The unit is easily folded with its components into a compact carrying case for transport or storage.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/221,324, filed Sep. 7, 2005, entitled ‘PortableCombination Bedside Co-Sleeper’, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/642,467, filed Aug. 14, 2003, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein as ifbeing set forth in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates to the field of convertible units for usewith babies and very young children; in particular to units which may beeasily converted to a play yard, bassinet, changing table, or child'sbed-side sleeping enclosure, hereinafter referred to for convenience asa “co-sleeper”, that attaches securely to the parents' bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Play yards and playpens for babies and young children are well known andmany variations have been marketed over the years. Low portable cribshave also been used as playpens. For reasons of economy and spaceconservation it has been practical to find additional uses for playpens,such as bassinets and changing tables if such additional uses can beaccomplished by means of easy alterations or adjustments that arereversible.

In U.S. Pat. No. 2,548,769, Burgin teaches a crib that can be loweredfor use as a playpen. Shamie, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,470 teaches aportable playpen that can be converted to a changing or dressing table.In U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,336, Mariol adds an upper level to a playpen toprovide a bassinet. The short legs of the upper level are inserted intoopenings in the top of the vertical supports of the playpen. Saldana,U.S. Pat. No. 2,691,176, teaches a unit designed for home and travelthat may be used as a support for a playpen, bassinet or baby chair.U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,827 to Fong et al. discloses a foldable playpenunit.

Recently there has been a resurgence in the practice of having babiessleep adjacent the parents' bed. Such bed-side cribs are taught in U.S.Pat. No. 5,172,435 to Griffin et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,655 to VanWinkle et al. and to Tharalson et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,561.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a single unitthat, with quick and easy adjustments, can be adapted for severaldifferent purposes, including a playpen, a bassinet, a changing tableand a co-sleeper.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a unit thatcan be converted to a co-sleeper that is an improvement over the priorart, that rests on four legs, with or without attached wheels, will notlift, tip or buck and that is secured to the parents' bed with a safetystrap so it cannot slide away from the bed.

It is a further objective to provide a co-sleeper that is adaptable toboth U.S. and European bed heights, including means of securing theco-sleeper to beds of both heights. Means should be provided to permitthe co-sleeper mattress to be positioned at heights within theco-sleeper suitable for positioning adjacently to both U.S. and Europeanbed surfaces. Likewise, means for adjusting the mattress cover tominimize any excess fabric when switching between U.S. and Europeanmattress height adjustments should be provided.

Another objective of the present invention is to allow conversion to aco-sleeper while still maintaining the stability of the unit by therepositioning of the front horizontal rail. Such repositioning shouldprovide for both U.S. and European bed heights.

It is yet a further objective of the present invention that theco-sleeper be adjacent the parents' bed but at a level below the levelof the parents' bed. Another objective of the present invention is toprovide means to adjust the height of the co-sleeper to conform to thedifferent bed heights. A still further objective of the presentinvention is to provide a secure washable enclosure for an infant ofsmall child.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a playpen inwhich an infant or small child can be tended to by a care-giver that isphysically handicapped. A further objective of the present invention isto provide a unit that folds easily for storage and transport.

It is still a further objective of the invention to provide a playpenwith a floor which can withstand repeated jumping and rough play by aninfant or small child without sagging or the risk of breakage. The floorshould be constructed of a mesh material to prevent accidentalsuffocation of an infant or small child who might find his or her wayunderneath the co-sleeper mattress.

It is yet a further objective to provide an easily convertible playpenthat includes strong, secure hinging mechanisms for the playpen supportmembers. Such mechanisms should lock the members securely in place andyet be simple and easy to release when required. These mechanisms shouldbe padded and enclosed so that movable metallic parts are not accessibleto an infant or small child's fingers.

It is still a further objective of the invention to provide for simpleadjustments to the height of the front wall of the co-sleeper whilepreventing injury to any small fingers that may be inserted into theopenings in the adjustment mechanism.

t is another objective to minimize any loose fabric associated with theco-sleeper mattress that could conceivably cause asphyxiation of aninfant or small child.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be seen from thefollowing description and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a portable combination bedside co-sleeperconvertibly adapted for use as a bassinet, changing table and playpen.The co-sleeper, includes an enclosure that has an open top, a floor, amattress support panel, a front wall, and at least one surrounding wallconnected to the front wall. The floor has a top surface, a bottomsurface and surrounding side edges and is attached to the front wall andthe surrounding wall at the surrounding side edges. The mattress supportpanel has an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer perimeter and isremovably attached to the front wall and the surrounding wall at theouter perimeter and is spaced upwardly from the floor. A mattress pad isprovided. The mattress pad has an upper surface, a lower surface and issized and shaped to fit slidably between the front wall and thesurrounding wall.

Means are provided for reversibly lowering a height of at least aportion of the front wall, from a first position at the top to at leastone second position below the top. A securing strap assembly is providedfor securing the co-sleeper to a parental bed. When the front wall israised to the first position, the co-sleeper is usable as a bassinet;and when the front wall is then lowered to one of its second positions,the co-sleeper is usable as a changing table. When the securing strapassembly is properly positioned and the co-sleeper is secured to theparental bed it will serve as a co-sleeper.

In a variant of the invention, the floor further includes a series offirst reinforcing straps. The first reinforcing straps are located uponthe bottom surface of the floor. At least two of the first reinforcingstraps are attached to the enclosure.

In another variant, the floor further includes at least two fasteningportions extending outwardly from the first reinforcing straps andattaching to the enclosure and at least two securing portions. Thesecuring portions attach the fastening portions to a lower edge of thefront wall and to a lower edge of the surrounding wall.

In still another variant, the floor further includes means for removablysecuring the lower surface of the mattress pad to the top surface of thefloor.

In yet another variant of the invention, the mattress support panel isformed of mesh material.

In still another variant, the mattress support panel further includes aseries of reinforcing panels. The reinforcing panels are attached to theupper surface of the mattress support panel. A series of secondreinforcing straps is provided. The second reinforcing straps areattached to the lower surface of the mattress support panel.

In another variant, spacing of the mattress support panel upwardly fromthe floor is adjustable between a first, lower position to at least onesecond higher position, thereby permitting the mattress pad to bemaintained at at least two different heights relative to an uppermattress surface of the parental bed.

In still another variant, the mattress support panel is removablyattached to the front wall and the surrounding wall at the outerperimeter using a first zipper.

In yet another variant, means are provided for securing an openable endof the first zipper.

In yet a further variant of the invention, the means for securing anopenable end of the first zipper includes a first reversibly separablesecuring tab. The first securing tab attaches to a zipper pull of thefirst zipper. A zipper pull cover is provided. The zipper pull cover hasa side edge, a top surface, a bottom surface and a first reversiblyseparable pad attached to the bottom surface. The zipper pull cover isattached at the side edge to an inner surface of either the front wallor the surrounding wall adjacent the openable end of the first zipper. Asecond reversibly separable attachment pad is attached to the uppersurface of the mattress support panel adjacent the openable end of thefirst zipper. When the first zipper is in a closed position, the firstreversibly separable pad of the zipper pull cover will attach to thefirst securing tab and the second reversibly separable attachment pad,thereby preventing easy opening of the first zipper.

In still a further variant, a flexible covering for an upper portion ofthe first zipper is provided to prevent injury to an infant or smallchild.

In another variant, the mattress support panel includes a surroundingedge panel. The surrounding edge panel extends upwardly from the outerperimeter for a first predetermined distance and has an upper edge. Asecond zipper is provided. The second zipper removably attaches thesurrounding edge panel to the front wall and the surrounding wall at theupper edge. When the second zipper attaches the upper edge to the frontwall and the surrounding wall the mattress support panel will be locatedat the first lower position. When the first zipper also attaches theouter perimeter to the front wall and the surrounding wall the mattresssupport panel will be disposed at one of the second higher positions.

In still another variant, means are provided for securing an openableend of the second zipper.

In yet another variant, the means for securing an openable end of thesecond zipper includes a second reversibly separable securing tab. Thesecond securing tab attaches to a zipper pull of the second zipper. Thezipper pull cover is attached at the side edge to an inner surface ofeither the front wall or the surrounding wall adjacent the openable endsof the first zipper and the second zipper. A third reversibly separableattachment pad attaches adjacent the upper edge of the surrounding edgepanel adjacent the openable end of the second zipper. When the secondzipper is in a closed position, the first reversibly separable pad ofthe zipper pull cover will attach to the second securing tab and thethird reversibly separable attachment pad, thereby preventing easyopening of the second zipper.

In a further variant, the flexible covering is provided for an upperportion of the second zipper to prevent injury to an infant or smallchild.

In still a further variant of the invention, the mattress support panelincludes means for removably securing the lower surface of the mattresspad to the upper surface of the mattress support panel.

In another variant, the mattress pad includes means for removablysecuring the lower surface of the mattress pad to either the uppersurface of the mattress support panel or the top surface of the floor.

In yet another variant, the mattress pad includes a washable cover. Thewashable cover is sized and shaped to fit over the mattress pad. Meansare provided for removably securing the washable cover to the lowersurface of the mattress pad. The washable cover has means for beingremovably secured to the upper surface of the mattress support panel orthe floor.

In yet a further variant, the mattress pad includes at least threeportions. Each of the portions has a rigid bottom section and a paddedtop section. The portions are hingedly attached to each other. Means areprovided for removably attaching outer edges of the mattress padtogether. The mattress pad serves as an enclosure for the co-sleeperwhen folded for transport and storage.

In still a further variant, the mattress pad includes a slat-receivingpocket and a stiffening slat. The slat receiving pocket extends acrossthe bottom sections of the at least three portions and is sized andshaped to receive the stiffening slat for further supporting themattress pad.

In another variant of the invention, at least a portion of thesurrounding wall is formed of mesh material.

In still another variant, the surrounding wall includes a reclosableopening. The opening provides access to a space between the floor andthe mattress support panel.

In yet another variant, the co-sleeper includes height adjusting meansfor changing a height of the co-sleeper such that the upper surface ofthe mattress support panel is located at a level below an upper surfaceof a mattress of the parental bed.

In yet a further variant, the height adjusting means comprisesextensions that attach to lower edges of the enclosure.

In still a further variant, the co-sleeper includes removable wheels.The wheels attach to either the lower edges of the enclosure or theextensions.

In another variant, the co-sleeper includes at least one pair ofalignment means through which the securing strap assembly is directedfor maintaining the securing strap assembly in horizontal orientationand preventing lifting or bucking of the co-sleeper when secured to theparental bed. The co-sleeper also includes at least one pair of securingstrap attachment means for fastening the securing strap assembly to theco-sleeper.

In still another variant, the securing strap assembly includes a strapmember that has a first end and a second end. A resistance plate memberis provided that has at least two slots vertically aligned and centrallylocated at which the strap member is attached such that the first endand the second end are equidistant from the plate member. Attachmentcooperation means are located at the first end and the second end of thestrap member for reversible connection to one of the pairs of securingstrap attachment means. Adjusting means are provided for adjusting alength of the strap member and tightening it after connecting theattachment cooperation means to one of the pairs of securing strapattachment means. The strap member is properly positioned when locatedunder a mattress and above a surface on which the mattress rests on theparental bed and held in place by the resistance plate member locatedvertically at a side of the parental bed opposite placement of theco-sleeper and the strap member is tightened so the co-sleeper is heldfast to the parental bed.

In still a further variant of the invention, the front wall is comprisedof flexible material and means for supporting the flexible material.

In yet a further variant, the co-sleeper includes means for constraininga portion of the flexible material when the front wall is lowered fromthe first position at the top to one of the second positions below thetop.

In another variant, the means for constraining a portion of the flexiblematerial includes a first strap portion. The first strap portion has afirst end and a second end and is attached at the first end to an innersurface of the front wall at a level below the at least one secondposition. A receiving connector is provided. The receiving connector isattached to the first strap portion at the second end. A second strapportion is provided. The second strap portion has a first end and asecond end and is attached at the first end to an outer surface of thefront wall at a level below the at least one second position. Anattaching connector is provided. The attaching connector has a slot. Theslot is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the second strap portion.The second strap portion is looped through the slot of the attachingconnector and removably attached to itself with a slidable adjustingbuckle. When the front wall is in one of the second positions and theattaching connector is disposed in the receiving connector, the slidableadjusting buckle is moved to tighten the first and second strap portionsso as to constrain the portion of the flexible material.

In still another variant, the co-sleeper includes an inside pocket. Theinside pocket has a reversibly closable top opening and is located onthe inner surface of the front wall with the first end of the firststrap portion attached to the front wall within the inside pocket. Anoutside pocket is provided. The outside pocket has a reversibly closabletop opening and is located upon the outer surface of the front wall withthe first end of the second strap portion attached to the front wallwithin the outside pocket. When the first and second strap portions withattached receiving and attaching connectors are not needed to constrainthe portion of the flexible material, the strap portions are storedwithin the inside and outside pockets, respectively.

In yet another variant, a portion of the front wall is formed of meshmaterial.

In a further variant, the means for reversibly lowering the height of atleast a portion of the front wall includes a first set of reversiblyseparable fasteners located adjacent a top edge of the front walladjacent a first side edge of the front wall. A second set of reversiblyseparable fasteners is located adjacent a top edge of the front walladjacent a second side edge of the front wall. When the front wall islowered from the first, upper position to one of the second lowerpositions, the reversibly separable fasteners are opened to permit thefront wall to be lowered while securing any excessive flexible materialwhen the front wall is in the first upper position.

In yet a further variant, at least one upper mattress control slit isprovided. The upper mattress control slit penetrates the mattresssupport panel. At least one upper releasable attachment means isprovided. The upper releasable attachment means is located on the lowersurface of the mattress support panel adjacent the mattress controlslit. At least one attachment strip is provided. The attachment strip isattached to the lower surface of the mattress pad, is sized and shapedto fit slidably through the mattress control slit and has means forattaching to the releasable attachment means. When the mattress pad islocated on the mattress support panel, the attachment strip is locatedthrough the upper mattress control slit and attached to the upperreleasable attachment means, the mattress pad will be removably securedto the mattress support panel.

In still a further variant, at least one lower mattress control slit isprovided. The lower mattress control slit penetrates the floor. At leastone lower releasable attachment means is provided. The lower releasableattachment means is located on the bottom surface of the floor adjacentthe lower mattress control slit. At least one attachment strip isprovided. The attachment strip is attached to the lower surface of themattress pad, is sized and shaped to fit slidably through the lowermattress control slit and has means for attaching to the lowerreleasable attachment means. When the mattress pad is located on thefloor, the attachment strip is located through the lower mattresscontrol slit and attached to the lower releasable attachment means, themattress pad will be removably secured to the floor.

In another variant of the invention, the portable combination bedsideco-sleeper includes a rigid enclosure that has an open top, a floor, afront wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and amattress support panel. The floor has a top surface, a bottom surfaceand surrounding side edges and is attached to the front wall, back wall,first side wall and second side wall at the surrounding side edges. Themattress support panel has an upper surface, a lower surface, an outerperimeter and is removably attached to the front wall, back wall, firstside wall and second side wall at the outer perimeter and is spacedupwardly from the floor. A mattress pad is provided. The mattress padhas an upper surface, a lower surface and is sized and shaped to fitslidably between the front wall, back wall, first side wall and secondside wall.

A rigid frame is provided. The frame is formed at the top by front andrear upper parallel horizontal rails, first and second upper sidehorizontal rails, two upper front corner members and two upper rearcorner members in cooperation therewith. The frame is formed adjacentthe floor by front and rear lower parallel horizontal rails and firstside and second side lower parallel horizontal rails in cooperationtherewith, a pair of front vertical rails and a pair of rear verticalrails in further cooperation with the two upper front corner members andthe two upper rear corner members and the four lower corner leg members.The rigid frame supports the floor, the front wall, the back wall, thefirst side wall and the second side wall. Each upper front corner memberis constructed of two reversibly separable complementary sections. Thefirst of the sections is fixedly attached to an end of the front upperhorizontal rail and the second of the sections is fixedly attached to anupper end of one of the front vertical rails. The upper front cornermembers support the upper front horizontal rail in a first position.

Receiving means are fixedly attached to each front vertical rail forreceiving the first section of an upper front corner member andreversibly maintaining the upper front horizontal rail in at least onelower second position, thereby lowering the front wall and maintainingstructural rigidity of the co-sleeper when the upper front horizontalrail is in one of the second positions. A securing strap assembly isprovided for securing the co-sleeper to a parental bed. When the upperfront horizontal rail and the front wall are in the raised firstposition, the co-sleeper is usable as a bassinet; and when the upperfront horizontal rail and the front wall are then lowered to one of thesecond positions, the co-sleeper is usable as a changing table. Further,when the securing strap assembly is properly positioned and theco-sleeper is secured to the parental bed it will serve as a co-sleeper.

In still another variant, first and second padded covers are provided.Each of the padded covers is sized and shaped to fit over one of the twoupper front corner members. Means are provided for attaching the firstand second padded covers to the first and second side walls. When theupper front horizontal rail is in the second position and the first andsecond padded covers are installed over the upper front corner members,openings in the corner members will be covered and thus protected fromentry by fingers of infants or small children.

In yet another variant, the front and rear upper parallel horizontalrails and first and second upper side horizontal rails are padded.

In a further variant, the floor includes a series of first reinforcingstraps. The first reinforcing straps are located on the bottom surfaceof the floor. At least two of the first reinforcing straps are attachedto the rigid frame.

In still a further variant, the floor includes at least two fasteningportions extending outwardly from the first reinforcing straps andattaching to the rigid frame. At least two securing portions areprovided. The securing portions attach the fastening portions to loweredges of the front wall, the back wall, the first side wall and thesecond side wall.

In yet a further variant, the floor includes means for removablysecuring the lower surface of the mattress pad to the top surface of thefloor.

In another variant of the invention, the mattress support panel isformed of mesh material.

In still another variant, the mattress support panel includes a seriesof reinforcing panels. The reinforcing panels are attached to the uppersurface of the mattress support panel. A series of second reinforcingstraps is provided. The second reinforcing straps are attached to thelower surface of the mattress support panel.

In a further variant, spacing of the mattress support panel upwardlyfrom the floor is adjustable between a first, lower position to at leastone second higher position. This permits the mattress pad to bemaintained at at least two different heights relative to an uppermattress surface of the parental bed.

In still a further variant, the mattress support panel is removablyattached to the front wall, back wall, first side wall and second sidewall at the outer perimeter using a first zipper.

In yet a further variant, means are provided for securing an openableend of the first zipper.

In another variant, the means for securing an openable end of the firstzipper includes a first reversibly separable securing tab. The firstsecuring tab is attached to a zipper pull of the first zipper. A zipperpull cover is provided. The zipper pull cover has a side edge, a topsurface, a bottom surface and a first reversibly separable pad attachedto the bottom surface. The zipper pull cover is attached at the sideedge to an inner surface of either of the front wall, back wall, firstside wall and second side wall adjacent the openable end of the firstzipper. A second reversibly separable attachment pad is provided. Thesecond attachment pad is attached to the upper surface of the mattresssupport panel adjacent the openable end of the first zipper. When thefirst zipper is in a closed position, the first reversibly separable padof the zipper pull cover will attach to the first securing tab and thesecond reversibly separable attachment pad, thereby preventing easyopening of the first zipper.

In still another variant, a flexible covering is provided for an upperportion of the first zipper to prevent injury to an infant or smallchild.

In yet another variant, the mattress support panel includes asurrounding edge panel. The surrounding edge panel extends upwardly fromthe outer perimeter for a first predetermined distance and has an upperedge. A second zipper is provided. The second zipper removably attachesthe surrounding edge panel either to the front wall, the back wall, thefirst side wall and the second side wall at the upper edge. When thesecond zipper attaches the upper edge to the front wall, the back wall,the first side wall and the second side wall the mattress support panelwill be located on the first lower position. When the first zipper alsoattaches the outer perimeter to the front wall, the back wall, the firstside wall and the second side wall the mattress support panel will belocated on the second higher position.

In a further variant, means are provided for securing an openable end ofthe second zipper.

In still a further variant, the means for securing an openable end ofthe second zipper includes a second reversibly separable securing tab.The second securing tab attaches to a zipper pull of the second zipper.A zipper pull cover is provided. The zipper pull cover has a side edge,a top surface, a bottom surface and a first reversibly separable padattached to the bottom surface. The zipper pull cover is attached at theside edge to an inner surface of either of the front wall, back wall,first side wall and second side wall adjacent the openable end of thesecond zipper. A third reversibly separable attachment pad is provided.The third attachment pad is attached adjacent the upper edge of thesurrounding edge panel adjacent the openable end of the second zipper.When the second zipper is in a closed position, the first reversiblyseparable pad of the zipper pull cover will attach to the secondsecuring tab and the third reversibly separable attachment pad, therebypreventing easy opening of the second zipper.

In yet a further variant of the invention, a flexible covering isprovided for an upper portion of the second zipper to prevent injury toan infant or small child.

In another variant, the mattress support panel includes means forremovably securing the lower surface of the mattress pad to the uppersurface of the mattress support panel.

In still another variant, the mattress pad includes means for removablysecuring the lower surface of the mattress pad to either the uppersurface of the mattress support panel or the top surface of the floor.

In yet another variant, the mattress pad includes a washable cover. Thewashable cover is sized and shaped to fit over the mattress pad. Meansare provided for removably securing the washable cover to the lowersurface of the mattress pad The washable cover has means for beingremovably secured to the lower surface of the mattress pad and means forbeing removably secured to the upper surface of the mattress supportpanel.

In a further variant, at least a portion of either of the back wall, thefirst side wall and the second side wall is formed of mesh material.

In still a further variant, the back wall includes a reclosable opening.The reclosable opening provides access to a space between the floor andthe mattress support panel.

In yet a further variant, the co-sleeper includes height-adjusting meansfor changing a height of the co-sleeper such that the upper surface ofthe mattress support panel is located on at a level below an uppersurface of a mattress of the parental bed.

In yet another variant, the height adjusting means includes extensionsthat attach to the four lower corner leg members.

In still another variant, removable wheels are provided. The wheelsattach to either of four lower corner leg members and the extensions.

In a further variant, the co-sleeper includes at least one pair ofalignment means through which the securing strap assembly is directedfor maintaining the securing strap assembly in horizontal orientationand preventing lifting or bucking of the co-sleeper when secured to theparental bed. The co-sleeper also includes at least one pair of securingstrap attachment means for fastening the securing strap assembly to theco-sleeper.

In still a further variant, the securing strap assembly includes a strapmember that has a first end and a second end. A resistance plate memberis provided that has at least two slots vertically aligned and centrallylocated on at which the strap member is attached such that the first endand the second end are equidistant from the plate member. Attachmentcooperation means are provided that are located at the first end and thesecond end of the strap member for reversible connection to one of thepairs of securing strap attachment means. Adjusting means are providedfor adjusting a length of the strap member and tightening it afterconnecting the attachment cooperation means to one of the pairs ofsecurity strap attachment means. The strap member is properly positionedwhen located under a mattress and above a surface on which the mattressrests on the parental bed. The strap member is held in place by theresistance plate member located vertically at a side of the parental bedopposite placement of the co-sleeper. The strap member is tightened sothe co-sleeper is held fast to the parental bed.

In another variant of the invention, the front wall is comprised offlexible material and means for supporting the flexible material.

In still another variant, means are provided for constraining a portionof the flexible material when the front wall is lowered from the firstposition at the top to one of the second positions below the top.

In yet another variant, the means for constraining a portion of theflexible material includes a first strap portion. The first strapportion has a first end and a second end and is attached at the firstend to an inner surface of the front wall at a level below the at leastone second position. A receiving connector is provided. The receivingconnector is attached to the first strap portion at the second end. Asecond strap portion is provided. The second strap portion has a firstend and a second end and is attached at the first end to an outersurface of the front wall at a level below the at least one secondposition. An attaching connector is provided. The attaching connectorhas a slot. The slot is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the secondstrap portion. The second strap portion is looped through the slot ofthe attaching connector and removably attached to itself with a slidableadjusting buckle. When the front wall is in one of the second positionsand the attaching connector is located in the receiving connector, theslidable adjusting buckle may be moved to tighten the first and secondstrap portions so as to constrain the portion of the flexible material.

In still another variant, an inside pocket is provided. The insidepocket has a reversibly closable top opening and is located on the innersurface of the front wall with the first end of the first strap portionattached to the front wall within the inside pocket. An outside pocketis provided. The outside pocket has a reversibly closable top openingand is located on the outer surface of the front wall with the first endof the second strap portion attached to the front wall within theoutside pocket. When the first and second strap portions with attachedreceiving and attaching connectors are not needed to constrain theportion of the flexible material, the strap portions are stored withinthe inside and outside pockets, respectively.

In yet another variant, a portion of the front wall is formed of meshmaterial.

In a further variant, the rigid frame includes means for pivotallymounting the front and rear upper horizontal rails to the upper frontcorner members and upper rear corner members, respectively. Framelocking devices positioned at center points of the front and rear upperhorizontal rail are pivotally mounted to the rails permitting the upperrails to pivot downwardly from the open top of the enclosure. Means areprovided for pivotally mounting the first and second upper sidehorizontal rails to the upper front and rear corner members. Framelocking devices positioned at center points of the first and secondupper side horizontal rails are pivotally mounted to the railspermitting each of the rails to pivot downwardly from the open top ofthe enclosure.

Means are provided for pivotally mounting the first side and second sidelower horizontal rails to the lower corner leg members. Frame pivotingdevices positioned at center points of the first side and second sidelower horizontal rails are pivotally mounted to the rails permittingeach of the rails to pivot upwardly. Means are provided for pivotallymounting the front and rear lower horizontal rails to the lower frontand rear corner leg members, respectively. Frame pivoting devicespositioned at center points of the front and rear lower horizontal railsare pivotally mounted to the rails permitting each of the rails to pivotupwardly. The frame may be quickly folded into a compact package fortransport and storage by releasing the locking devices positioned on thefront and rear upper horizontal rails and first and second upper sidehorizontal rails, depressing the upper horizontal rails downwardly whilepulling upwardly on the frame pivoting devices on the lower horizontalrails, thereby causing the upper and horizontal rails to benddownwardly, the lower horizontal rails to bend upwardly and the verticalrails to move inwardly.

In still a further variant, the mattress pad includes at least threeportions. Each of the portions has a rigid bottom section and a paddedtop section. The portions are hingedly attached to each other. Means areprovided for removably attaching outer edges of the mattress padtogether. The mattress pad serves as an enclosure for the co-sleeperwhen folded for transport and storage.

In yet a further variant, the mattress pad further comprises aslat-receiving pocket and a stiffening slat. The slat receiving pocketextends across the bottom sections of the at least three portions and issized and shaped to receive the stiffening slat for further supportingthe mattress pad.

In another variant of the invention, the means for reversibly loweringthe height of at least a portion of the front wall includes a first setof reversibly separable fasteners located adjacent a top edge of thefront wall adjacent a first side edge of the front wall. A second set ofreversibly separable fasteners is located adjacent the top edge of thefront wall adjacent a second side edge of the front wall. When the frontwall is lowered from the first, upper position to one of the secondlower positions, the reversibly separable fasteners are opened to permitthe front wall to be lowered while securing any excessive flexiblematerial when the front wall is in the first upper position.

In yet another variant, the first and second sections of the upper frontcorner members and the receiving means fixedly attached to each frontvertical rail for receiving the first section of the upper front cornermembers and reversibly maintaining the upper front horizontal rail in atleast one lower second position include a T-shaped protrusion extendingfrom a point adjacent a lower end of the first section of the upperfront corner members toward an upper end of the first sectionterminating in a stop. A securing extension located on the first sectionadjacent and below the T-shaped protrusion is provided. The securingextension is bendable away from the T-shaped protrusion and includes aretaining ledge. A first mating T-shaped slot is provided. The T-shapedslot extends from a point adjacent an upper end of the second section ofthe upper front corner member and terminates above a lower end of theupper front corner members.

A second mating T-shaped slot extends from a point adjacent an upper endof the receiving means toward a lower end of the receiving means andterminates above a lower end of the receiving means. At least twolocating features are provided. The locating features are positioned onthe second section and the receiving means adjacent and below the firstand second T-shaped slots. The locating features are sized, shaped andlocated to be removably engaged by the retaining ledge of the securingextension so that the first section of the upper front corner member maybe secured to either the second section or the receiving means.

In still another variant, the rigid frame is formed of hollow tubing.The front, rear, first side and second side upper horizontal rails eachhave a first portion and a second portion. Each portion has an inboardend and an outboard end, and the frame locking devices positioned atcenter points of the upper horizontal rails include a connecting frame.The frame is pivotally mounted to the inboard ends of each of the firstand second portions of the upper horizontal rails. The connecting frameincludes a pair of locking holes. A pair of spring-loaded buttons ismounted within the upper horizontal rails. The buttons are sized, shapedand located to engage the locking holes in the connecting frame when thefirst and second portions of the upper horizontal rails are collinear.Means are provided for pushing both buttons inwardly so as to clear thelocking holes in the connecting frame simultaneously, thereby permittingthe upper horizontal rails to be pivoted downwardly.

In a further variant, the rigid frame is formed of hollow tubing. Thefront, rear, first side and second side lower horizontal rails each havea first portion and a second portion. Each portion has an inboard endand an outboard end. The frame pivoting devices positioned at centerpoints of the lower horizontal rails include a spring housing. Thespring housing is pivotally mounted upon a pair of mounting pins to theinboard ends of each of the first and second portions of the lowerhorizontal rails. The spring housing includes first and second pairs ofarcurate alignment slots and first and second pairs of positioningdetents. First and second alignment pins are provided. The alignmentpins are mounted parallel to the mounting pins and spaced outwardly fromthe inboard ends of the first and second portions of the lowerhorizontal rails. The alignment pins are sized, shaped and located tofit slidably within the arcurate alignment slots. Each of the pairs ofpositioning detents is spaced apart by a distance slightly less than adiameter of one of the lower horizontal rails. When the first and secondportions of the lower horizontal rails are collinear, the rails will bewithin the spring housing and when the rails are pivoted with respect toone another to fold the co-sleeper, the detents will be urged againstthe rails by a spring resistance of the housing, causing the housing tospread apart, such resistance serving to maintain collinear alignment ofthe lower horizontal rails when the co-sleeper is erected.

In a further variant, the first section of the front upper corner memberis a male section and the second section is a female section. The secondsection has an opening sufficiently small so as to prevent entry offingers of small children or infants.

In a final variant of the invention, the receiving means is a femalesection for association with a male section. The receiving means has anopening sufficiently small so as to prevent the entry of fingers ofsmall children or infants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will become more readily apparent from the followingdescription of preferred embodiments thereof shown, by way of exampleonly, in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention in a first position at the top;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the rigid frame of the preferredembodiment of the invention illustrating the two reversibly separablecomplimentary sections of the two upper front corner members, thereceiving means, the frame locking devices and the frame pivotingdevices;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention in the second position below the top illustrating the heightadjustment means, the removable wheels and the means for constraining aportion of the flexible material;

FIG. 2A is a partial cutaway perspective of the FIG. 1 embodimentillustrating the second strap portion attached to the front wall;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the enclosure illustrating theportion of the surrounding wall formed of mesh material and thereclosable opening;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the co-sleeper attached to the parents'bed by means of the safety strap assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the co-sleeper illustrating the paddedcovers and means for attaching the padded covers to the side walls;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the enclosure illustrating the floor andtop;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the enclosure illustrating the mattresssupport panel at the first lower position;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional detail of FIG. 7 taken along the line 8-8;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the enclosure illustrating the mattresssupport panel at the at least one second higher position;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional detail of FIG. 9 taken along the line10-10;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the mattress pad with washable cover;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the means for removably securing thewashable cover to the mattress pad and the means for removably securingthe mattress pad to the mattress support panel;

FIG. 12 is a perspective detail view of the mattress support panelremovably attached to the enclosure and the means for securing anopenable end of the first zipper;

FIG. 12A is a perspective detail view of the means for securing anopenable end of the first zipper, the first reversibly separablesecuring tab, the zipper pull cover of the first zipper, the secondreversibly separable attachment pad, the surrounding edge panel, theflexible covering for an upper portion of the first zipper, the openableend of the second zipper, the second reversibly separable securing tab,the zipper pull cover of the second zipper and the third reversiblyseparable attachment pad;

FIG. 12B is a perspective detail view of the means for securing anopenable end of the second zipper, the second reversibly separablesecuring tab, the zipper pull of the second zipper, the zipper pullcover and the third reversibly separable attachment pad;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the frame locking device;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the frame pivoting device;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the floor illustrating the lowermattress control slit, the lower releasable attachment means and theattachment strip;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the upper surface of the mattresssupport panel;

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of the lower surface of the mattresssupport panel;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the mattress pad illustrating theslat-receiving pocket and the stiffening slat;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the floor and theenclosure;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the height adjusting means andremovable wheels attached to the lower edges of the enclosure;

FIG. 20 is a perspective detail view of the means for reversiblylowering the height of at least a portion of the front wall;

FIG. 21 is a perspective detail view of the means for reversiblylowering the height of at least a portion of the front wall illustratingthe T-shaped protrusion and the securing extension of the first sectionof the upper front corner member;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment in partiallycollapsed condition;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment in furthercollapsed condition; and

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment secured withinthe segmented rigid floor member as a compact package for transportationand storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6, 11, 15, 16 and 16A, the presentinvention is a portable combination bedside co-sleeper 10 convertiblyadapted for use as a bassinet, changing table and playpen. Theco-sleeper 10, includes an enclosure 15 that has an open top 20, a floor25, a mattress support panel 30, a front wall 35, and at least onesurrounding wall 40 connected to the front wall 35. The floor 25 has atop surface 45, a bottom surface 50 and surrounding side edges 55 and isattached to the front wall 35 and the surrounding wall 40 at thesurrounding side edges 55. The mattress support panel 30 has an uppersurface 60, a lower surface 65, an outer perimeter 70 and is removablyattached to the front wall 35 and the surrounding wall 40 at the outerperimeter 70 and is spaced upwardly from the floor 25. A mattress pad 75is provided. The mattress pad 75 has an upper surface 80, a lowersurface 85 and is sized and shaped to fit slidably between the frontwall 35 and the surrounding wall 40.

Means 90 are provided for, reversibly lowering a height 95 of at least aportion 100 of the front wall 35, from a first position 105 at the top20 to at least one second position 110 below the top 20. A securingstrap assembly 115 is provided for securing the co-sleeper 10 to aparental bed 120. When the front wall 35 is raised to the first position105, the co-sleeper 10 is usable as a bassinet; and when the front wall35 is then lowered to one of its second positions 110, the co-sleeper 10is usable as a changing table. When the securing strap assembly 115 isproperly positioned and the co-sleeper 10 is secured to the parental bed120 it will serve as a co-sleeper 10.

In a variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 18, the floor 25 furtherincludes a series of first reinforcing straps 125. The first reinforcingstraps 125 are located upon the bottom surface 50 of the floor 25. Atleast two of the first reinforcing straps 125 are attached to theenclosure 15.

In another variant, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 18, the floor 25 furtherincludes at least two fastening portions 130 extending outwardly fromthe first reinforcing straps 125 and attaching to the enclosure 15 andat least two securing portions 135. The securing portions 135 attach thefastening portions 130 to a lower edge 140 of the front wall 35 and to alower edge 145 of the surrounding wall 40.

In still another variant, as shown in FIG. 6, the floor 25 furtherincludes means 150 for removably securing the lower surface 85 of themattress pad 75 to the top surface 45 of the floor 25.

In yet another variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 16, themattress support panel 30 is formed of mesh material 155.

In still another variant, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 16A, the mattresssupport panel 30 further includes a series of reinforcing panels 160.The reinforcing panels 160 are attached to the upper surface 60 of themattress support panel 30. A series of second reinforcing straps 165 isprovided. The second reinforcing straps 165 are attached to the lowersurface 65 of the mattress support panel 30.

In another variant, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, spacing of the mattresssupport panel 30 upwardly from the floor 25 is adjustable between afirst, lower position 170 to at least one second higher position 175,thereby permitting the mattress pad 75 to be maintained at at least twodifferent heights relative to an upper mattress surface 177 of theparental bed 120.

In still another variant, as shown in FIG. 12, the mattress supportpanel 30 is removably attached to the front wall 35 and the surroundingwall 40 at the outer perimeter 70 using a first zipper 180.

In yet another variant, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 12A, means 185 areprovided for securing an openable end 190 of the first zipper 180.

In yet a further variant of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 12A,the means 185 for securing an openable end 190 of the first zipper 180includes a first reversibly separable securing tab 195. The firstsecuring tab 195 attaches to a zipper pull 200 of the first zipper 180.A zipper pull cover 205 is provided. The zipper pull cover 205 has aside edge 210, a top surface 215, a bottom surface 220 and a firstreversibly separable pad 225 attached to the bottom surface 220. Thezipper pull cover 205 is attached at the side edge 210 to an innersurface 230 of either the front wall 35 or the surrounding wall 40adjacent the openable end 190 of the first zipper 180. A secondreversibly separable attachment pad 235 is attached to the upper surface60 of the mattress support panel 30 adjacent the openable end 190 of thefirst zipper 180. When the first zipper 180 is in a closed position 240,the first reversibly separable pad 225 of the zipper pull cover 205 willattach to the first securing tab 195 and the second reversibly separableattachment pad 235, thereby preventing easy opening of the first zipper180.

In still a further variant, as shown in FIG. 12A, a flexible covering243 for an upper portion 245 of the first zipper 180 is provided toprevent injury to an infant or small child (not shown).

In another variant, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the mattress supportpanel 30 includes a surrounding edge panel 250. The surrounding edgepanel 250 extends upwardly from the outer perimeter 70 for a firstpredetermined distance 255 and has an upper edge 260. A second zipper265 is provided. The second zipper 265 removably attaches thesurrounding edge panel 250 to the front wall 35 and the surrounding wall40 at the upper edge 260. When the second zipper 265 attaches the upperedge 260 to the front wall 35 and the surrounding wall 40 the mattresssupport panel 30 will be located at the first lower position 170. Whenthe first zipper 180 also attaches the outer perimeter 70 to the frontwall 35 and the surrounding wall 40 the mattress support panel 30 willbe located at one of the second higher positions 175.

In still another variant, as shown in FIG. 12A, means 270 are providedfor securing an openable end 275 of the second zipper 265.

In yet another variant, as shown in FIGS. 8, 10, 12A and 12B, the means270 for securing an openable end 275 of the second zipper 265 includes asecond reversibly separable securing tab 280. The second securing tab280 attaches to a zipper pull 285 of the second zipper 265. The zipperpull cover 205 is attached at the side edge 210 to an inner surface 230of either the front wall 35 or the surrounding wall 40 adjacent theopenable ends 190, 275 of the first zipper 180 and the second zipper265. A third reversibly separable attachment pad 290 attaches adjacentthe upper edge 260 of the surrounding edge panel 250 adjacent theopenable end 275 of the second zipper 265. When the second zipper 265 isin a closed position 295, the first reversibly separable pad 225 of thezipper pull cover 205 will attach to the second securing tab 280 and thethird reversibly separable attachment pad 290, thereby preventing easyopening of the second zipper 265.

In a further variant, as shown in FIG. 12A, the flexible covering 243 isprovided for an upper portion 305 of the second zipper 265 to preventinjury to an infant or small child (not shown).

In still a further variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 16, themattress support panel 30 includes means 310 for removably securing thelower surface 85 of the mattress pad 75 to the upper surface 60 of themattress support panel 30.

In another variant, as shown in FIG. 11A, the mattress pad 75 includesmeans 315 for removably securing the lower surface 85 of the mattresspad 75 to either the upper surface 60 of the mattress support panel 30or the top surface 45 of the floor 25.

In yet another variant, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A, the mattress pad75 includes a washable cover 320. The washable cover 320 is sized andshaped to fit over the mattress pad 75. Means 325 are provided forremovably securing the washable cover 320 to the lower surface 85 of themattress pad 75. The washable cover 320 has means 330 for beingremovably secured to the upper surface 60 of the mattress support panel30 or the floor 25.

In yet a further variant, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 24, the mattress pad75 includes at least three portions 333. Each of the portions 333 has arigid bottom section 335 and a padded top section 340. The portions 333are hingedly attached to each other. Means 345 are provided forremovably attaching outer edges 350 of the mattress pad 75 together. Themattress pad 75 serves as an enclosure 355 for the co-sleeper 10 whenfolded for transport and storage.

In still a further variant, as shown in FIG. 17, the mattress pad 75includes a slat-receiving pocket 360 and a stiffening slat 365. The slatreceiving pocket 360 extends across the bottom sections 335 of the atleast three portions 333 and is sized and shaped to receive thestiffening slat 365 for further supporting the mattress pad 75.

In another variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 3, at least aportion 370 of the surrounding wall 40 is formed of mesh material 375.

In still another variant, as shown in FIG. 3, the surrounding wall 40includes a reclosable opening 380. The opening 380 provides access to aspace 385 between the floor 25 and the mattress support panel 30.

In yet another variant, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 19, the co-sleeper 10includes height adjusting means 390 for changing a height 395 of theco-sleeper 10 such that the upper surface 60 of the mattress supportpanel 30 is located at a level 400 below an upper surface 405 of amattress 410 of the parental bed 120.

In yet a further variant, a shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 19, the heightadjusting means 390 comprises extensions 415 that attach to lower edges420 of the enclosure 15.

In still a further variant, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 19, theco-sleeper 10 includes removable wheels 425. The wheels 425 attach toeither the lower edges 420 of the enclosure 15 or the extensions 415.

In another variant, as shown in FIG. 4, the co-sleeper 10 includes atleast one pair of alignment means 430 through which the securing strapassembly 115 is directed for maintaining the securing strap assembly 115in horizontal orientation and preventing lifting or bucking of theco-sleeper 10 when secured to the parental bed 120. The co-sleeper 10also includes at least one pair of securing strap attachment means 435for fastening the securing strap assembly 115 to the co-sleeper 10.

In still another variant, as shown in FIG. 4, the securing strapassembly 115 includes a strap member 440 that has a first end 445 and asecond end 450. A resistance plate member 455 is provided that has atleast two slots 460 vertically aligned and centrally located at whichthe strap member 440 is attached such that the first end 445 and thesecond end 450 are equidistant from the plate member 455. Attachmentcooperation means 465 are located at the first end 445 and the secondend 450 of the strap member 440 for reversible connection to one of thepairs of securing strap attachment means 435. Adjusting means 470 areprovided for adjusting a length 475 of the strap member 440 andtightening it after connecting the attachment cooperation means 465 toone of the pairs of securing strap attachment means 435. The strapmember 440 is properly positioned when located under a mattress 410 andabove a surface 485 on which the mattress 410 rests on the parental bed120 and held in place by the resistance plate member 455 locatedvertically at a side 490 of the parental bed 120 opposite placement ofthe co-sleeper 10 and the strap member 440 is tightened so the cosleeper 10 is held fast to the parental bed 120.

In still a further variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, thefront wall 35 is comprised of flexible material 495 and means 500 forsupporting the flexible material 495.

In yet a further variant, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the co-sleeper 10includes means 505 for constraining a portion 510 of the flexiblematerial 495 when the front wall 35 is lowered from the first position105 at the top 20 to one of the second positions 110 below the top 20.

In another variant, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 6, the means 505 forconstraining a portion 510 of the flexible material 495 includes a firststrap portion 515. The first strap portion 515 has a first end 520 and asecond end 525 and is attached at the first end 520 to an inner surface530 of the front wall 35 at a level 532 below the at least one secondposition 110. A receiving connector 535 is provided. The receivingconnector 535 is attached to the first strap portion 515 at the secondend 525. A second strap portion 540 is provided. The second strapportion 540 has a first end 545 and a second end 547 and is attached atthe first end 545 to an outer surface 550 of the front wall 35 at alevel 555 below the at least one second position 110. An attachingconnector 560 is provided. The attaching connector 560 has a slot 565.The slot 565 is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the second strapportion 540. The second strap portion 540 is looped through the slot 565of the attaching connector 560 and removably attached to itself 540 witha slidable adjusting buckle 570. When the front wall 35 is in one of thesecond positions 110 and the attaching connector 560 is located in thereceiving connector 535, the slidable adjusting buckle 570 is moved totighten the first 515 and second 540 strap portions so as to constrainthe portion 510 of the flexible material 495.

In still another variant, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 6, the co-sleeper 10includes an inside pocket 575. The inside pocket 575 has a reversiblyclosable top opening 580 and is located on the inner surface 530 of thefront wall 35 with the first end 520 of the first strap portion 515attached to the front wall 35 within the inside pocket 575. An outsidepocket 585 is provided. The outside pocket 585 has a reversibly closabletop opening 590 and is located upon the outer surface 550 of the frontwall 35 with the first end 545 of the second strap portion 540 attachedto the front wall 35 within the outside pocket 585. When the first 515and second 540 strap portions with attached receiving 535 and attaching560 connectors are not needed to constrain the portion 510 of theflexible material 495, the strap portions 515, 540 are stored within theinside 575 and outside 585 pockets, respectively.

In yet another variant, as shown in FIG. 1, a portion 595 of the frontwall 35 is formed of mesh material 600.

In a further variant, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 20 and 21, the means 90for reversibly lowering the height 95 of at least a portion 100 of thefront wall 35 includes a first set of reversibly separable fasteners 605located adjacent a top edge 610 of the front wall 35 adjacent a firstside edge 615 of the front wall 35. A second set of reversibly separablefasteners 620 is located adjacent the top edge 610 of the front wall 35adjacent a second side edge 625 of the front wall 35. When the frontwall 35 is lowered from the first, upper position 105 to one of thesecond lower positions 110, the reversibly separable fasteners 605, 620are opened to permit the front wall 35 to be lowered while securing anyexcessive flexible material 630 when the front wall 35 is in the firstupper position 105.

In yet a further variant, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 16, at least oneupper mattress control slit 635 is provided. The upper mattress controlslit 635 penetrates the mattress support panel 30. At least one upperreleasable attachment means 640 is provided. The upper releasableattachment means 640 is located on the lower surface 65 of the mattresssupport panel 30 adjacent the mattress control slit 635. At least oneattachment strip 645 is provided. The attachment strip 645 is attachedto the lower surface 85 of the mattress pad 75, is sized and shaped tofit slidably through the mattress control slit 635 and has means 650 forattaching to the releasable attachment means 640. When the mattress pad75 is located on the mattress support panel 30, the attachment strip 645is located through the upper mattress control slit 635 and attached tothe upper releasable attachment means 640, the mattress pad 75 will beremovably secured to the mattress support panel 30.

In still a further variant, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 15, at least onelower mattress control slit 652 is provided. The lower mattress controlslit 652 penetrates the floor 25. At least one lower releasableattachment means 655 is provided. The lower releasable attachment means655 is located on the bottom surface 50 of the floor 25 adjacent thelower mattress control slit 652. At least one attachment strip 645 isprovided. The attachment strip 645 is attached to the lower surface 85of the mattress pad 75, is sized and shaped to fit slidably through thelower mattress control slit 652 and has means for attaching to the lowerreleasable attachment means 655. When the mattress pad 75 is located onthe floor 25, the attachment strip 645 is located through the lowermattress control slit 652 and attached to the lower releasableattachment means 655, the mattress pad 75 will be removably secured tothe floor 25.

In another variant of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1, 1A, 4, 11, 15,16, 20 and 21, the portable combination bedside co-sleeper 10 includes arigid enclosure 660 that has an open top 665, a floor 670, a front wall675, a back wall 680, a first side wall 685, a second side wall 690 anda mattress support panel 30. The floor 670 has a top surface 700, abottom surface 705 and surrounding side edges 710 and is attached to thefront wall 675, back wall 680, first side wall 685 and second side wall690 at the surrounding side edges 710. The mattress support panel 30 hasan upper surface 60, a lower surface 65, an outer perimeter 70 and isremovably attached to the front wall 6757 back wall 680, first side wall685 and second side wall 690 at the outer perimeter 70 and is spacedupwardly from the floor 670. A mattress pad 75 is provided. The mattresspad 75 has an upper surface 80, a lower surface 85 and is sized andshaped to fit slidably between the front wall 675, back wall 680, firstside wall 685 and second side wall 690.

A rigid frame 730 is provided. The frame 730 is formed at the top 665 byfront 735 and rear 740 upper parallel horizontal rails, first 745 andsecond 750 upper side horizontal rails, two upper front corner members755, 760 and two upper rear corner members 765, 770 in cooperationtherewith. The frame 730 is formed adjacent the floor 670 by front 775and rear 780 lower parallel horizontal rails and first side 785 andsecond side 790 lower parallel horizontal rails in cooperationtherewith, a pair of front vertical rails 795, 800 and a pair of rearvertical rails 805, 810 in further cooperation with the two upper frontcorner members 755, 760 and the two upper rear corner members 765, 770and the four lower corner leg members 815, 816, 817, 818. The rigidframe 730 supports the floor 670, the front wall 675, the back wall 680,the first side wall 685 and the second side wall 690. Each upper frontcorner member 755, 760 is constructed of two reversibly separablecomplementary sections 820, 825. The first of the sections 820 isfixedly attached to an end 830 of the front upper horizontal rail 735and the second of the sections 825 is fixedly attached to an upper end835 of one of the front vertical rails 795, 800. The upper front cornermembers 755, 760 support the upper front horizontal rail 735 in a firstposition 840.

Receiving means 845 are fixedly attached to each front vertical rail795, 800 for receiving the first section 820 of an upper front cornermember 755, 760 and reversibly maintaining the upper front horizontalrail 735 in at least one lower second position 850, thereby lowering thefront wall 675 and maintaining structural rigidity of the co-sleeper 10when the upper front horizontal rail 735 is in one of the secondpositions 850. A securing strap assembly 115 is provided for securingthe co-sleeper 10 to a parental bed 120. When the upper front horizontalrail 735 and the front wall 675 are in the raised first position 840,the co-sleeper 10 is usable as a bassinet; and when the upper fronthorizontal rail 735 and the front wall 675 are then lowered to one ofthe second positions 850, the co-sleeper 10 is usable as a changingtable. Further, when the securing strap assembly 115 is properlypositioned and the co-sleeper 10 is secured to the parental bed 120 itwill serve as a co-sleeper 10.

In still another variant, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 20, first 855 andsecond 860 padded covers are provided. Each of the padded covers 855,860 is sized and shaped to fit over one of the two upper front cornermembers 755, 760. Means 865 are provided for attaching the first 855 andsecond 860 padded covers to the first 685 and second 690 side walls.When the upper front horizontal rail 735 is in the second position 850and the first 855 and second 860 padded covers are installed over theupper front corner members 755, 760, openings 867, 868 in the cornermembers 755, 760 will be covered and thus protected from entry byfingers of infants or small children (not shown).

In yet another variant, as shown in FIG. 22, the front 735 and rear 740upper parallel horizontal rails and first 745 and second 750 upper sidehorizontal rails are padded.

In a further variant, as shown in FIG. 18, the floor 670 includes aseries of first reinforcing straps 125. The first reinforcing straps 125are located on the bottom surface 705 of the floor 670. At least two ofthe first reinforcing straps 125 are attached to the rigid frame 730.

In still a further variant, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 18, the floor 670includes at least two fastening portions 130 extending outwardly fromthe first reinforcing straps 125 and attaching to the rigid frame 730.At least two securing portions 135 are provided. The securing portions135 attach the fastening portions 130 to lower edges 869 of the frontwall 675, the back wall 680, the first side wall 685 and the second sidewall 690.

In yet a further variant, as shown in FIG. 15, the floor 670 includesmeans 150 for removably securing the lower surface 85 of the mattresspad 75 to the top surface 700 of the floor 670.

In another variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 15, the mattresssupport panel 30 is formed of mesh material 155.

In still another variant, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 16A, the mattresssupport panel 30 includes a series of reinforcing panels 160. Thereinforcing panels 160 are attached to the upper surface 60 of themattress support panel 30. A series of second reinforcing straps 165 isprovided. The second reinforcing straps 165 are attached to the lowersurface 65 of the mattress support panel 30.

In a further variant, as shown in FIGS. 7, 9, 12 and 12A, spacing of themattress support panel 30 upwardly from the floor 670 is adjustablebetween a first, lower position 170 to at least one second higherposition 175. This permits the mattress pad 75 to be maintained at atleast two different heights relative to an upper mattress surface 177 ofthe parental bed 120.

In still a further variant, as shown in FIG. 12, the mattress supportpanel 30 is removably attached to the front wall 675, the back wall 680,the first side wall 685 and the second side wall 690 at the outerperimeter 70 using a first zipper 180.

In yet a further variant, as shown in FIG. 12A, means 185 are providedfor securing an openable end 190 of the first zipper 180.

In another variant, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 12A, the means 185 forsecuring an openable end 190 of the first zipper 180 includes a firstreversibly separable securing tab 195. The first securing tab 195 isattached to a zipper pull 200 of the first zipper 180. A zipper pullcover 205 is provided. The zipper pull cover 205 has a side edge 210, atop surface 215, a bottom surface 220 and a first reversibly separablepad 225 attached to the bottom surface 220. The zipper pull cover 205 isattached at the side edge 210 to an inner surface 230 of either of thefront wall 675, the back wall 680, the first side wall 685 and thesecond side wall 690 adjacent the openable end 190 of the first zipper180. A second reversibly separable attachment pad 235 is provided. Thesecond attachment pad 235 is attached to the upper surface 60 of themattress support panel 30 adjacent the openable end 190 of the firstzipper 180. When the first zipper 180 is in a closed position 240, thefirst reversibly separable pad 225 of the zipper pull cover 205 willattach to the first securing tab 195 and the second reversibly separableattachment pad 235, thereby preventing easy opening of the first zipper180.

In still another variant, as shown in FIG. 12A, a flexible covering 243is provided for an upper portion 245 of the first zipper 180 to preventinjury to an infant or small child (not shown).

In yet another variant, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12A, themattress support panel 30 includes a surrounding edge panel 250. Thesurrounding edge panel 250 extends upwardly from the outer perimeter 725for a first predetermined distance 255 and has an upper edge 260. Asecond zipper 265 is provided. The second zipper 265 removably attachesthe surrounding edge panel 250 either to the front wall 675, the backwall 680, the first side wall 685 and the second side wall 690 at theupper edge 260. When the second zipper 265 attaches the upper edge 260to the front wall 675, the back wall 680, the first side wall 685 andthe second side wall 690 the mattress support panel 695 will be locatedon the first lower position 170. When the first zipper 180 also attachesthe outer perimeter 725 to the front wall 675, the back wall 680, thefirst side wall 685 and the second side wall 690 the mattress supportpanel 695 will be located on the second higher position 175.

In a further variant, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, means 270 areprovided for securing an openable end 275 of the second zipper 265.

In still a further variant, the means 270 for securing an openable end275 of the second zipper 265 includes a second reversibly separablesecuring tab 280. The second securing tab 280 attaches to a zipper pull285 of the second zipper 265. A zipper pull cover 205 is provided. Thezipper pull cover 205 has a side edge 210, a top surface 215, a bottomsurface 220 and a first reversibly separable pad 225 attached to thebottom surface 220. The zipper pull cover 205 is attached at the sideedge 210 to an inner surface 230 of either of the front wall 675, theback wall 680, the first side wall 685 and the second side wall 690adjacent the openable end 275 of the second zipper 265. A thirdreversibly separable attachment pad 290 is provided. The thirdattachment pad 290 is attached adjacent the upper edge 260 of thesurrounding edge panel 250 adjacent the openable end 275 of the secondzipper 265. When the second zipper 265 is in a closed position 295, thefirst reversibly separable pad 225 of the zipper pull cover 205 willattach to the second securing tab 280 and the third reversibly separableattachment pad 290, thereby preventing easy opening of the second zipper265.

In yet a further variant of the invention, a flexible covering 243 isprovided for an upper portion 305 of the second zipper 265 to preventinjury to an infant or small child (not shown).

In another variant, as shown in FIG. 16, the mattress support panel 30includes means 310 for removably securing the lower surface 85 of themattress pad 75 to the upper surface 60 of the mattress support panel30.

In still another variant, as shown in FIG. 1A, the mattress pad 75includes means 315 for removably securing the lower surface 85 of themattress pad 75 to either the upper surface 60 of the mattress supportpanel 30 or the top surface 700 of the floor 670.

In yet another variant, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A, the mattress pad75 includes a washable cover 320. The washable cover 320 is sized andshaped to fit over the mattress pad 75. Means 325 are provided forremovably securing the washable cover 320 to the lower surface 85 of themattress pad 75. The washable cover 320 has means 325 for beingremovably secured to the lower surface 85 of the mattress pad 75 andmeans 330 for being removably secured to the upper surface 60 of themattress support panel 30.

In a further variant, as shown in FIG. 3, at least a portion of eitherof the front wall 675, the back wall 680, the first side wall 685 andthe second side wall 690 is formed of mesh material 375.

In still a further variant, as shown in FIG. 3, the back wall 680includes a reclosable opening 380. The reclosable opening 380 providesaccess to a space 385 between the floor 670 and the mattress supportpanel 30.

In yet a further variant, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 19, the co-sleeper 10includes height-adjusting means 390 for changing a height 395 of theco-sleeper 10 such that the upper surface 60 of the mattress supportpanel 30 is located on at a level 400 below an upper surface 405 of amattress 410 of the parental bed 120.

In yet another variant, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 19, the heightadjusting means 390 includes extensions 415 that attach to the fourlower corner leg members 815, 816, 817, 818.

In still another variant, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 19, removablewheels 425 are provided. The wheels 425 attach to either of four lowercorner leg members 815, 816, 817, 818 and the extensions 415.

In a further variant, as shown in FIG. 4, the co-sleeper 10 includes atleast one pair of alignment means 430 through which the securing strapassembly 115 is directed for maintaining the securing strap assembly 115in horizontal orientation and preventing lifting or bucking of theco-sleeper 10 when secured to the parental bed 120. The co-sleeper 10also includes at least one pair of securing strap attachment means 435for fastening the securing strap assembly 115 to the co-sleeper 10.

In still a further variant, as shown in FIG. 4, the securing strapassembly 115 includes a strap member 440 that has a first end 445 and asecond end 450. A resistance plate member 455 is provided that has atleast two slots 460 vertically aligned and centrally located on at whichthe strap member 440 is attached such that the first end 445 and thesecond end 450 are equidistant from the plate member 455. Attachmentcooperation means 465 are provided that are located at the first end 445and the second end 450 of the strap member 440 for reversible connectionto one of the pairs of securing strap attachment means 435. Adjustingmeans 470 are provided for adjusting a length 475 of the strap member440 and tightening it after connecting the attachment cooperation means465 to one of the pairs of security strap attachment means 435. Thestrap member 440 is properly positioned when located under a mattress410 and above a surface 485 on which the mattress 410 rests on theparental bed 120. The strap member 440 is held in place by theresistance plate member 455 located vertically at a side 490 of theparental bed 120 opposite placement of the co-sleeper 10. The strapmember 440 is tightened so the co-sleeper 10 is held fast to theparental bed 120.

In another variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the front wall675 is comprised of flexible material 495 and means 500 for supportingthe flexible material 495.

In still another variant, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, means 505 areprovided for constraining a portion 510 of the flexible material 495when the front wall 675 is lowered from the first position 105 at thetop 665 to one of the second positions 110 below the top 665.

In yet another variant, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 6, the means 505 forconstraining a portion 510 of the flexible material 495 includes a firststrap portion 515. The first strap portion 515 has a first end 520 and asecond end 525 and is attached at the first end 520 to an inner surface530 of the front wall 675 at a level 532 below the at least one secondposition 110. A receiving connector 535 is provided. The receivingconnector 535 is attached to the first strap portion 515 at the secondend 525. A second strap portion 540 is provided. The second strapportion 540 has a first end 545 and a second end 547 and is attached atthe first end 545 to an outer surface 550 of the front wall 675 at alevel 555 below the at least one second position 110 An attachingconnector 560 is provided. The attaching connector 560 has a slot 565.The slot 565 is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the second strapportion 540. The second strap portion 540 is looped through the slot 565of the attaching connector 560 and removably attached to itself 540 witha slidable adjusting buckle 570. When the front wall 675 is in one ofthe second positions 110 and the attaching connector 560 is located inthe receiving connector 535, the slidable adjusting buckle 570 may bemoved to tighten the first 515 and second 540 strap portions so as toconstrain the portion 510 of the flexible material 495.

In still another variant, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 6, an inside pocket575 is provided. The inside pocket 575 has a reversibly closable topopening 580 and is located on the inner surface 530 of the front wall675 with the first end 520 of the first strap portion 515 attached tothe front wall 675 within the inside pocket 575. An outside pocket 585is provided. The outside pocket 585 has a reversibly closable topopening 590 and is located on the outer surface 550 of the front wall675 with the first end 545 of the second strap portion 540 attached tothe front wall 675 within the outside pocket 585. When the first 515 andsecond 540 strap portions with attached receiving 535 and attaching 560connectors are not needed to constrain the portion 510 of the flexiblematerial 495, the strap portions 515, 540 are stored within the inside575 and outside 585 pockets, respectively.

In yet another variant, as shown in FIG. 1, a portion 595 of the frontwall 675 is formed of mesh material 600.

In a further variant, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 13, 14, 22, 23 and 24, therigid frame 730 includes means 870 for pivotally mounting the front 735and rear 740 upper horizontal rails to the upper front corner members755, 760 and upper rear corner members 765, 770, respectively. Framelocking devices 875 positioned at center points 880 of the front 735 andrear 740 upper horizontal rails are pivotally mounted to the rails 735,740 permitting the upper rails 735, 740 to pivot downwardly from theopen top 665 of the enclosure 660. Means 885 are provided for pivotallymounting the first 745 and second 750 upper side horizontal rails to theupper front 755, 760 and rear 765, 770 corner members. Frame lockingdevices 875 positioned at center points 890 of the first 745 and second750 upper side horizontal rails are pivotally mounted to the rails 745,750 permitting each of the rails 745, 750 to pivot downwardly from theopen top 665 of the enclosure 660.

Means 895 are provided for pivotally mounting the first side 785 andsecond side 790 lower horizontal rails to the lower corner leg members815, 816, 817, 818. Frame pivoting devices 900 positioned at centerpoints 905 of the first side 785 and second side 790 lower horizontalrails are pivotally mounted to the rails 785, 790 permitting each of therails 785, 790 to pivot upwardly. Means 910 are provided for pivotallymounting the front 775 and rear 780 lower horizontal rails to the lowercorner leg members 815, 816, 817, 818, respectively. Frame pivotingdevices 900 positioned at center points 915 of the front 775 and rear780 lower horizontal rails are pivotally mounted to the rails 775, 780permitting each of the rails 775, 780 to pivot upwardly. The frame 730may be quickly folded into a compact package 920 for transport andstorage by releasing the locking devices 875 positioned on the front 735and rear 740 upper horizontal rails and first 745 and second 750 upperside horizontal rails, depressing the upper horizontal rails 735, 740,745, 750 downwardly while pulling upwardly on the frame pivoting devices900 on the lower horizontal rails 775, 780, 785, 790, thereby causingthe upper 735, 740, 745, 750 horizontal rails to bend downwardly, thelower horizontal rails 775, 780, 785, 790 to bend upwardly and thevertical rails 795, 800, 805, 810 to move inwardly.

In still a further variant, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 24, the mattresspad 75 includes at least three portions 333. Each of the portions 333has a rigid bottom section 335 and a padded top section 340. Theportions 333 are hingedly attached to each other. Means 345 are providedfor removably attaching outer edges 350 of the mattress pad 75 together.The mattress pad 75 serves as an enclosure 355 for the co-sleeper 10when folded for transport and storage.

In yet a further variant, as shown in FIG. 17, the mattress pad 75further comprises a slat-receiving pocket 360 and a stiffening slat 365.The slat receiving pocket 360 extends across the bottom sections 335 ofthe at least three portions 333 and is sized and shaped to receive thestiffening slat 365 for further supporting the mattress pad 75.

In another variant of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 2, 20 and 21, themeans 90 for reversibly lowering the height 95 of at least a portion 100of the front wall 675 includes a first set of reversibly separablefasteners 605 located adjacent a top edge 610 of the front wall 675adjacent a first side edge 615 of the front wall 675. A second set ofreversibly separable fasteners 620 is located adjacent the top edge 610of the front wall 675 adjacent a second side edge 625 of the front wall675. When the front wall 675 is lowered from the first, upper position105 to one of the second lower positions 110, the reversibly separablefasteners 605, 620 are opened to permit the front wall 675 to be loweredwhile securing any excessive flexible material 630 when the front wall675 is in the first upper position 105.

In yet another variant, as shown in FIGS. 1, 20 and 21, the first 820and second 825 sections of the upper front corner members 755, 760 andthe receiving means 845 fixedly attached to each front vertical rail795, 780 for receiving the first section 820 of the upper front cornermembers 755, 760 and reversibly maintaining the upper front horizontalrail 735 in at least one lower second position 850 include a T-shapedprotrusion 925 extending from a point 930 adjacent a lower end 935 ofthe first section 820 of the upper front corner members 755, 760 towardan upper end 937 of the first section 820 terminating in a stop 940. Asecuring extension 945 located on the first section 820 adjacent andbelow the T-shaped protrusion 925 is provided. The securing extension945 is bendable away from the T-shaped protrusion 925 and includes aretaining ledge 950. A first mating T-shaped slot 955 is provided. TheT-shaped slot 955 extends from a point 960 adjacent an upper end 965 ofthe second section 825 of the upper front corner member 755, 760 andterminates above a lower end 970 of the upper front corner members 755,760.

A second mating T-shaped slot 972 extends from a point 975 adjacent anupper end 980 of the receiving means 845 toward a lower end 985 of thereceiving means 845 and terminates above a lower end 985 of thereceiving means 845. At least two locating features 990, 995 areprovided. The locating features 990, 995 are positioned on the secondsection 825 and the receiving means 845 adjacent and below the first 955and second 972 T-shaped slots. The locating features 990, 995 are sized,shaped and located to be removably engaged by the retaining ledge 950 ofthe securing extension 945 so that the first section 820 of the upperfront corner member 755, 760 may be secured to either the second section825 or the receiving means 845.

In still another variant; as shown in FIG. 13, the rigid frame 730 isformed of hollow tubing 1000. The front 735, rear 740, first side 745and second side 750 upper horizontal rails each have a first portion1005 and a second portion 1010. Each portion 1005, 1010 has an inboardend 1015 and an outboard end 1020, and the frame locking devices 875positioned at center points 880, 890 of the upper horizontal rails 735,740, 745, 750 include a connecting frame 1025. The frame 1025 ispivotally mounted to the inboard ends 1015 of each of the first 1005 andsecond 1010 portions of the upper horizontal rails 735, 740, 745, 750.The connecting frame 1025 includes a pair of locking holes 1030, 1031. Apair of spring-loaded buttons 1035, 1036 are mounted within the upperhorizontal rails 735, 740, 745, 750. The buttons 1035, 1036 are sized,shaped and located to engage the locking holes 1030, 1031 in theconnecting frame 1025 when the first 1005 and second 1010 portions ofthe upper horizontal rails 735, 740, 745, 750 are collinear. Means 1040are provided for pushing both buttons 1035, 1036 inwardly so as to clearthe locking holes 1030, 1031 in the connecting frame 1025simultaneously, thereby permitting the upper horizontal rails 735, 740,745, 750 to be pivoted downwardly.

In a further variant, as shown in FIG. 14, the rigid frame 730 is formedof hollow tubing 1000. The front 775, rear 780, first side 785 andsecond side 790 lower horizontal rails each have a first 1045 portionand a second portion 1050. Each portion 1045, 1050 has an inboard end1055 and an outboard end 1060. The frame pivoting devices 900 positionedat center points 905, 915 of the lower horizontal rails 775, 780, 785,790 include a spring housing 1065. The spring housing 1065 is pivotallymounted upon a pair of mounting pins 1070, 1071 to the inboard ends 1055of each of the first 1045 and second 1050 portions of the lowerhorizontal rails 775, 780, 785, 790. The spring housing 1065 includesfirst 1075 and second 1080 pairs of arcurate alignment slots and first1090 and second 1095 pairs of positioning detents. First 1100 and second1105 alignment pins are provided. The alignment pins 1100, 1105 aremounted parallel to the mounting pins 1070, 1071 and spaced outwardlyfrom the inboard ends 1055 of the first 1045 and second 1050 portions ofthe lower horizontal rails 775, 780, 785, 790. The alignment pins 1100,1105 are sized, shaped and located to fit slidably within the arcuratealignment slots 1075, 1080. Each of the pairs 1090, 1095 of positioningdetents is spaced apart by a distance 1085 slightly less than a diameter1110 of one of the lower horizontal rails 775, 780, 785, 790. When thefirst 1045 and second 1050 portions of the lower horizontal rails 775,780, 785, 790 are collinear, the rails 775, 780, 785, 790 will be withinthe spring housing 1065 and when the rails 775, 780, 785, 790 arepivoted with respect to one another to fold the co-sleeper 10, thedetents 1090, 1095 will be urged against the rails 775, 780, 785, 790 bya spring resistance of the housing 1065, causing the housing 1065 tospread apart, such resistance serving to maintain collinear alignment ofthe lower horizontal rails 775, 780, 785, 790 when the co-sleeper 10 iserected.

In a further variant, as shown in as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the firstsection 820 of the front upper corner member 755, 760 is a male section1115 and the second section 825 is a female section 1120. The secondsection 825 has an opening 1125 sufficiently small so as to prevententry of fingers of small children or infants (not shown).

In a final variant of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, thereceiving means 845 is a female section 1130 for association with a malesection 1131. The receiving means 845 has an opening 1135 sufficientlysmall so as to prevent the entry of fingers of small children or infants(not shown).

While one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated anddescribed in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is notlimited thereto and may be otherwise practiced within the scope of thefollowing claims.

1. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper, comprising: an enclosurehaving an open top, a floor, a mattress support panel, a front wall, andat least one surrounding wall connected to the front wall; said floorhaving a top surface, a bottom surface and surrounding side edges andbeing attached to said front wall and said at least one surrounding wallat said surrounding side edges; said mattress support panel having anupper surface, a lower surface, an outer perimeter and being removablyattached to said front wall and said at least one surrounding wall atsaid outer perimeter and being spaced upwardly from said floor; amattress pad, said mattress pad having an upper surface, a lower surfaceand being sized and shaped to fit slidably between said front wall andsaid at least one surrounding wall; means for reversibly lowering aheight of at least a portion of said front wall, from a first positionat said top to at least one second position below said top; a securingstrap assembly for securing the co-sleeper to a parental bed; andwhereby, when the front wall is raised to the first position, theco-sleeper is usable as a bassinet; and wherein, when the front wall isthen lowered to one of its second positions, the co-sleeper is usable asa changing table; and further, when the securing strap assembly isproperly positioned and the co-sleeper is secured to the parental bed itwill serve as a co-sleeper.
 2. A portable combination bedsideco-sleeper, as described in claim 1, wherein spacing of said mattresssupport panel upwardly from said floor is adjustable between a first,lower position to at least one second higher position, therebypermitting said mattress pad to be maintained at at least two differentheights relative to an upper mattress surface of said parental bed.
 3. Aportable combination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 1,wherein said mattress support panel further comprises means forremovably securing said lower surface of said mattress pad to said uppersurface of said mattress support panel.
 4. A portable combinationbedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 1, wherein said mattress padfurther comprises means for removably securing said lower surface ofsaid mattress pad to either of said upper surface of said mattresssupport panel and said top surface of said floor.
 5. A portablecombination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 1, wherein saidmattress pad further comprises: a washable cover, said washable coverbeing sized and shaped to fit over said mattress pad; means forremovably securing said washable cover to said lower surface of saidmattress pad; and said washable cover having means for being removablysecured to either of said upper surface of said mattress support paneland said floor.
 6. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper, asdescribed in claim 1, wherein said mattress pad further comprises: atleast three portions, each of said portions having a rigid bottomsection and a padded top section; said portions being hingedly attachedto each other; means for removably attaching outer edges of saidmattress pad together; and whereby, said mattress pad serves as anenclosure for the co-sleeper when folded for transport and storage.
 7. Aportable combination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 1,wherein at least a portion of said at least one surrounding wall isformed of mesh material.
 8. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper,as described in claim 1, wherein said at least one surrounding wallincludes a reclosable opening, said opening providing access to a spacebetween said floor and said mattress support panel.
 9. A portablecombination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 1, furthercomprising height adjusting means for changing a height of theco-sleeper such that said upper surface of said mattress support panelis disposed at a level below an upper surface of a mattress of saidparental bed.
 10. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper, asdescribed in claim 9, wherein said height adjusting means comprisesextensions that attach to lower edges of said enclosure.
 11. A portablecombination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 9, furthercomprising removable wheels, said wheels attaching to either of saidlower edges of said enclosure and said extensions.
 12. A portablecombination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 1, furthercomprising: at least one pair of alignment means through which saidsecuring strap assembly is directed for maintaining said securing strapassembly in horizontal orientation and preventing lifting or bucking ofsaid co-sleeper when secured to said parental bed; and at least one pairof securing strap attachment means for fastening said securing strapassembly to said co-sleeper.
 13. A portable combination bedsideco-sleeper, as described in claim 1, wherein said securing strapassembly further comprises: a strap member having a first end and asecond end; a resistance plate member having at least two slotsvertically aligned and centrally disposed at which said strap member isattached such that said first end and said second end are equidistantfrom said plate member; attachment cooperation means disposed at saidfirst end and said second end of said strap member for reversibleconnection to one of said pairs of securing strap attachment means; andadjusting means for adjusting a length of said strap member andtightening same after connecting said attachment cooperation means toone of said pairs of securing strap attachment means; wherein, saidstrap member is properly positioned when disposed under a mattress andabove a surface on which said mattress rests on said parental bed andheld in place by said resistance plate member disposed vertically at aside of said parental bed opposite placement of said co-sleeper and saidstrap member is tightened so said co-sleeper is held fast to saidparental bed.
 14. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper, asdescribed in claim 1, wherein said front wall is comprised of flexiblematerial and means for supporting said flexible material.
 15. A portablecombination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 14, furthercomprising means for constraining a portion of said flexible materialwhen said front wall is lowered from said first position at said top toone of said second positions below said top.
 16. A portable combinationbedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 1, wherein a portion of saidfront wall is formed of mesh material.
 17. A portable combinationbedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 1, wherein the means forreversibly lowering the height of at least a portion of said front wallfurther comprises: a first set of reversibly separable fastenersdisposed adjacent a top edge of said front wall adjacent a first sideedge of said front wall; a second set of reversibly separable fastenersdisposed adjacent a top edge of said front wall adjacent a second sideedge of said front wall; whereby, when said front wall is lowered fromsaid first, upper position to one of said second lower positions, saidreversibly separable fasteners are opened to permit said front wall tobe lowered while securing any excessive flexible material when saidfront wall is in said first upper position.
 18. A portable combinationbedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 1, further comprising: atleast one upper mattress control slit, said upper mattress control slitpenetrating said mattress support panel; at least one upper releasableattachment means, said upper releasable attachment means disposed uponsaid lower surface of said mattress support panel adjacent said mattresscontrol slit; at least one attachment strip, said attachment strip beingattached to said lower surface of said mattress pad, being sized andshaped to fit slidably through said mattress control slit and havingmeans for attaching to said releasable attachment means; and whereby,when said mattress pad is disposed upon said mattress support panel,said attachment strip is disposed through said upper mattress controlslit and attached to said upper releasable attachment means, saidmattress pad will be removably secured to said mattress support panel.19. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper comprising: a rigidenclosure having an open top, a floor, a front wall, a back wall, afirst side wall, a second side wall and a mattress support panel; saidfloor having a top surface, a bottom surface and surrounding side edgesand being attached to said front wall, back wall, first side wall andsecond side wall at said surrounding side edges; said mattress supportpanel having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer perimeter andbeing removably attached to said front wall, back wall, first side walland second side wall at said outer perimeter and being spaced upwardlyfrom said floor; a mattress pad, said mattress pad having an uppersurface, a lower surface and being sized and shaped to fit slidablybetween said front wall, back wall, first side wall and second sidewall; a rigid frame, said frame being formed at the top by front andrear upper parallel horizontal rails and first and second upper sidehorizontal rails and two upper front corner members and two upper rearcorner members in cooperation therewith, and being formed adjacent saidfloor by front and rear lower parallel horizontal rails and first sideand second side lower parallel horizontal rails and in cooperationtherewith, and a pair of front vertical rails and a pair of rearvertical rails in further cooperation with said two upper front cornermembers and said two upper rear corner members and said four lowercorner leg members; said rigid frame supporting said floor, said frontwall, said back wall, said first side wall and said second side wall;each upper front corner member being constructed of two reversiblyseparable complementary sections, the first of said sections beingfixedly attached to an end of said front upper horizontal rail and thesecond of said sections being fixedly attached to an upper end of one ofsaid front vertical rails, said upper front corner members supportingsaid upper front horizontal rail in a first position; receiving meansfixedly attached to each front vertical rail for receiving said firstsection of an upper front corner member and reversibly maintaining saidupper front horizontal rail in at least one lower second position,thereby lowering said front wall and maintaining structural rigidity ofthe co-sleeper when said upper front horizontal rail is in one of saidsecond positions; a securing strap assembly for securing the co-sleeperto a parental bed; and whereby, when said upper front horizontal railand said front wall are in the raised first position, the co-sleeper isusable as a bassinet; and wherein, when said upper front horizontal railand said front wall are then lowered to one of said second positions,the co-sleeper is usable as a changing table; and further, when thesecuring strap assembly is properly positioned and the co-sleeper issecured to the parental bed it will serve as a co-sleeper.
 20. Aportable combination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 19,further comprising: first and second padded covers, each of said paddedcovers being sized and shaped to fit over one of said two upper frontcorner members; means for attaching said first and second padded coversto said first and second side walls; and whereby, when said upper fronthorizontal rail is in said second position and said first and secondpadded covers are installed over said upper front corner members,openings in said corner members will be covered and thus protected fromentry by fingers of infants or small children
 21. A portable combinationbedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 19, wherein said front andrear upper parallel horizontal rails and first and second upper sidehorizontal rails are padded.
 22. A portable combination bedsideco-sleeper, as described in claim 19, wherein said floor furthercomprises: a series of first reinforcing straps, said first reinforcingstraps being disposed upon said bottom surface of said floor; and atleast two of said first reinforcing straps being attached to said rigidframe.
 23. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper, as described inclaim 22, wherein said floor further comprises: at least two fasteningportions extending outwardly from said first reinforcing straps andattaching to said rigid frame; and at least two securing portions, saidsecuring portions attaching said fastening portions to lower edges ofsaid front wall, said back wall, said first side wall and said secondside wall.
 24. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper, as describedin claim 19, wherein said floor further comprises means for removablysecuring said lower surface of said mattress pad to said top surface ofsaid floor.
 25. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper, as describedin claim 19, wherein said mattress support panel is formed of meshmaterial.
 26. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper, as described inclaim 19, wherein spacing of said mattress support panel upwardly fromsaid floor is adjustable between a first, lower position to at least onesecond higher position, thereby permitting said mattress pad to bemaintained at at least two different heights relative to an uppermattress surface of said parental bed.
 27. A portable combinationbedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 19, wherein said mattresssupport panel further comprises means for removably securing said lowersurface of said mattress pad to said upper surface of said mattresssupport panel.
 28. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper, asdescribed in claim 19, wherein said mattress pad further comprises meansfor removably securing said lower surface of said mattress pad to eitherof said upper surface of said mattress support panel and said topsurface of said floor.
 29. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper, asdescribed in claim 19, wherein said mattress pad further comprises: awashable cover, said washable cover being sized and shaped to fit oversaid mattress pad; means for removably securing said washable cover tosaid lower surface of said mattress pad; and said washable cover havingmeans for being removably secured to said lower surface of said mattresspad and means for being removably secured to said upper surface of saidmattress support panel.
 30. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper,as described in claim 19, wherein at least a portion of either of saidback wall, said first side wall and said second side wall is formed ofmesh material.
 31. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper, asdescribed in claim 19, wherein said back wall includes a reclosableopening, said reclosable opening providing access to a space betweensaid floor and said mattress support panel.
 32. A portable combinationbedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 19, further comprising heightadjusting means for changing a height of the co-sleeper such that saidupper surface of said mattress support panel is disposed at a levelbelow an upper surface of a mattress of said parental bed.
 33. Aportable combination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 32,wherein said height adjusting means comprises extensions that attach tosaid four lower corner leg members.
 34. A portable combination bedsideco-sleeper, as described in claim 32, further comprising removablewheels, said wheels attaching to either of four lower corner leg membersand said extensions.
 35. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper, asdescribed in claim 19, further comprising: at least one pair ofalignment means through which said securing strap assembly is directedfor maintaining said securing strap assembly in horizontal orientationand preventing lifting or bucking of said co-sleeper when secured tosaid parental bed; and at least one pair of securing strap attachmentmeans for fastening said securing strap assembly to said co-sleeper. 36.A portable combination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 19,wherein said securing strap assembly further comprises: a strap memberhaving a first end and a second end; a resistance plate member having atleast two slots vertically aligned and centrally disposed at which saidstrap member is attached such that said first end and said second endare equidistant from said plate members attachment cooperation meansdisposed at said first end and said second end of said strap member forreversible connection to one of said pairs of securing strap attachmentmeans; and adjusting means for adjusting a length of said strap memberand tightening same after connecting said attachment cooperation meansto one of said pairs of security strap attachment means; wherein, saidstrap member is properly positioned when disposed under a mattress andabove a surface on which said mattress rests on said parental bed andheld in place by said resistance plate member disposed vertically at aside of said parental bed opposite placement of said co-sleeper and saidstrap member is tightened so said co-sleeper is held fast to saidparental bed.
 37. A portable combination bedside co-sleeper, asdescribed in claim 19, wherein said front wall is comprised of flexiblematerial and means for supporting said flexible material.
 38. A portablecombination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 37, furthercomprising means for constraining a portion of said flexible materialwhen said front wall is lowered from said first position at said top toone of said second positions below said top.
 39. A portable combinationbedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 19, wherein a portion of saidfront wall is formed of mesh material.
 40. A portable combinationbedside co-sleeper as in claim 19, wherein said rigid frame furthercomprises: means for pivotally mounting said front and rear upperhorizontal rails to said upper front corner members and upper rearcorner members, respectively; frame locking devices positioned at centerpoints of said front and rear upper horizontal rail pivotally mountedthereto and permitting said upper rails to pivot downwardly from saidopen top of said enclosure; means for pivotally mounting said first andsecond upper side horizontal rails to said upper front and rear cornermembers; frame locking devices positioned at center points of said firstand second upper side horizontal rails being pivotally mounted theretoand permitting each of said rails to pivot downwardly from said open topof said enclosure; means for pivotally mounting said first side andsecond side lower horizontal rails to said lower corner members; framepivoting devices positioned at center points of said first side andsecond side lower horizontal rails being pivotally mounted thereto andpermitting each of said rails to pivot upwardly; means for pivotallymounting said front and rear lower horizontal rails to said lower frontand rear corner leg members, respectively; and frame pivoting devicespositioned at center points of said front and rear lower horizontalrails being pivotally mounted thereto and permitting each of said railsto pivot upwardly; wherein said frame may be quickly folded into acompact package for transport and storage by releasing said lockingdevices positioned on said front and rear upper horizontal rails andfirst and second upper side horizontal rails depressing said upperhorizontal rails downwardly while pulling upwardly on said framepivoting devices on said lower horizontal rails, thereby causing saidupper horizontal rails to bend downwardly, said lower horizontal railsto bend upwardly and said vertical rails to move inwardly.
 41. Aportable combination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 27,wherein said mattress pad further comprises: at least three portions,each of said portions having a rigid bottom section and a padded topsection; said portions being hingedly attached to each other; means forremovably attaching outer edges of said mattress pad together; andwhereby, said mattress pad serves as an enclosure for the co-sleeperwhen folded for transport and storage.
 42. A portable combinationbedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 19, wherein the means forreversibly lowering the height of at least a portion of said front wallfurther comprises: a first set of reversibly separable fastenersdisposed adjacent a top edge of said front wall adjacent a first sideedge of said front wall; a second set of reversibly separable fastenersdisposed adjacent said top edge of said front wall adjacent a secondside edge of said front wall; whereby, when the front wall is loweredfrom said first, upper position to one of said second lower positions,said reversibly separable fasteners are opened to permit said front wallto be lowered while securing any excessive flexible material when saidfront wall is in said first upper position.
 43. A portable combinationbedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 19, wherein said first andsecond sections of said upper front corner members and said receivingmeans fixedly attached to each front vertical rail for receiving saidfirst section of said upper front corner members and reversiblymaintaining said upper front horizontal rail in at least one lowersecond position further comprise: a T-shaped protrusion extending from apoint adjacent a lower end of said first section of said upper frontcorner members toward an upper end of said first section and terminatingin a stop; a securing extension disposed on said first section adjacentand below said T-shaped protrusion, said securing extension beingbendable away from said T-shaped protrusion and including a retainingledge, a first mating T-shaped slot extending from a point adjacent anupper end of said second section of the upper front corner member andterminating above a lower end of said upper front corner member; asecond mating T-shaped slot extending from a point adjacent an upper endof said receiving means toward a lower end of said receiving means andterminating above a lower end of said receiving means; and at least twolocating features disposed on said second section and said receivingmeans adjacent and below said first and second T-shaped slots, saidlocating features sized, shaped and disposed to be removably engaged bysaid retaining ledge of said securing extension so that said firstsection of said upper front corner member may be secured to either ofsaid second section and said receiving means.
 44. A portable combinationbedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 40 wherein said rigid frame isformed of hollow tubing, said front, rear, first side and second sideupper horizontal rails each have a first portion and a second portion,each portion having an inboard end and an outboard end, and said framelocking devices positioned at center points of said upper horizontalrails further comprise: a connecting frame, said frame pivotally mountedto the inboard ends of each of said first and second portions of saidupper horizontal rails; said connecting frame including a pair oflocking holes; a pair of spring-loaded buttons mounted within said upperhorizontal rails, said buttons being sized, shaped and disposed toengage said locking holes in said connecting frame when said first andsecond portions of said upper horizontal rails are collinear; and meansfor pushing both buttons inwardly so as to clear said locking holes insaid connecting frame simultaneously, thereby permitting said upperhorizontal rails to be pivoted downwardly.
 45. A portable combinationbedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 40 wherein the rigid frame isformed of hollow tubing, said front, rear, first side and second sidelower horizontal rails each have a first portion and a second portion,each portion having an inboard end and an outboard end, and the framepivoting devices positioned at center points of said lower horizontalrails further comprise: a spring housing, said spring housing beingpivotally mounted upon a pair of mounting pins to the inboard ends ofeach of the first and second portions of said lower horizontal rails;said spring housing including first and second pairs of arcuratealignment slots and first and second pairs of positioning detents; firstand second alignment pins, said pins being mounted parallel to saidmounting pins and spaced outwardly from the inboard ends of the firstand second portions of said lower horizontal rails; said alignment pinsbeing sized, shaped and disposed to fit slidably within said arcuratealignment slots; each of said pairs of positioning detents being spacedapart by a distance slightly less than a diameter of one of said lowerhorizontal rails; and whereby, when said first and second portions ofsaid lower horizontal rails are collinear, said rails will be withinsaid spring housing and when said rails are pivoted with respect to oneanother to fold said co-sleeper, said detents will be urged against therails by a spring resistance of said housing, causing said housing tospread apart, such resistance serving to maintain collinear alignment ofsaid lower horizontal rails when the co-sleeper is erected.
 46. Aportable combination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 19wherein said first section of said front upper corner member is a malesection and said second section is a female section, said second sectionhaving an opening sufficiently small so as to prevent entry of fingersof small children or infants.
 47. A portable combination bedsideco-sleeper, as described in claim 19, wherein the receiving means is afemale section for association with a male section, said receiving meanshaving an opening sufficiently small so as to prevent the entry offingers of small children or infants.
 48. A portable combination bedsideco-sleeper, as described in claim 1, wherein said floor furthercomprises: a series of first reinforcing straps, said first reinforcingstraps being disposed upon said bottom surface; and at least two of saidfirst reinforcing straps being attached to said enclosure.
 49. Aportable combination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 48,wherein said floor further comprises: at least two fastening portionsextending outwardly from said first reinforcing straps and attaching tosaid enclosure; and at least two securing portions, said securingportions attaching said fastening portions to a lower edge of said frontwall and to a lower edge of said surrounding wall.
 50. A portablecombination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 1, wherein saidfloor further comprises means for removably securing said lower surfaceof said mattress pad to said top surface of said floor.
 51. A portablecombination bedside co-sleeper, as described in claim 1, wherein saidmattress support panel is formed of mesh material.
 52. A portablecombination bedside co-sleeper, comprising: an enclosure having a base,a surrounding wall and an open top, wherein said base includes amattress support panel that is removably attached to the surroundingwall, and said surrounding wall includes at least an adjustable frontwall portion; a mattress pad that is sized and shaped to fit within thesurrounding wall; an adjustor that adjusts the height of at least aportion of the front wall portion of the surrounding wall; a securingstrap assembly to enable securing the co-sleeper to a bed; wherein theco-sleeper is usable as a bassinet and a changing table based on theposition of the front wall.